Bilateral Relations: Brazil and Israel
Brazil-Israel relations have existed continuously since the establishment of the State of Israel. Between the two countries there are full diplomatic relations on the political and business level. Israel has an embassy in Brasilia and a consulate in Sao Paulo, and Brazil maintains an embassy in Tel Aviv.
Brazilian diplomat Oswaldo Aranha chaired the United Nations General Assembly in 1947, which took the historic partition decision that led to the creation of the State of Israel in 1948. The act constituted an important milestone in Brazil's relations with the nascent State of Israel.
Brazil was one of the first countries to recognise the State of Israel. In 1951, the Brazilian Legation was set up in Tel Aviv, which was elevated to the rank of Embassy in 1958. Also in 1951, Israel opened its Embassy in Brazil in Rio de Janeiro, which was later transferred to Brasilia. In 2010, Israel reopened its Consulate in São Paulo.
David Shaltiel served as Israel's first ambassador to Brazil.
In June 1959, Foreign Minister Golda Meir visited Brazil and signed an agreement for cooperation in the field of culture. In May 1962, the Foreign Minister of Brazil visited Israel and signed an agreement for cooperation in the field of agriculture and development.
In January 1966, the President of the State of Israel, Zalman Shazar, was invited to visit Brazil. The visit took place in July 1966
After the end of the military dictatorship, the good relations between Israel and Brazil continued and in December 1987 Foreign Minister Shimon Peres made an official visit to the country
During the first decade of the 21st century, several official visits were made: a visit by President Shimon Peres to Brazil in November 2009, and by the President of Brazil Lola da Silva to Israel in March 2010. As part of the visits, agreements were signed for cooperation in the fields of education, agriculture, health, scientific research and technology, cooperation Action in film productions, industry, customs and law.
On December 28, 2018, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited Brazil on the occasion of the inauguration of the president-elect, Jair Bolsonaro. During the visit, a meeting was held with Bolsonaro and also with the foreign, defense and finance ministers of Brazil. Netanyahu also received the Medal of Honor, which is considered the highest national decoration given to guests in Brazil